Holly’s Comments (group member since Nov 05, 2013)

Holly’s comments from the The Reading Challenge Group group.

Finally battling Catch-22 for the group read. Pleasantly surprised!

What do people think of Death's narrative? I find this one of the main things that 'blew me away' with the novel, even though I was highly wary at the start.

Odd narratives are very 'marmite' to me - I ever absolutely love them, or loathe them and feel they ruin the whole book (Gatsby, I'm looking at you). With The Book Thief, it is by far the first one. I think Zusak moulded Death's narrative very well. Most of the time, the novel reads like third person, like what we'd expect. But then there are these little snippets of something far bigger, of a seemingly omniscient and omnipotent higher being watching the horrors of the war.

By far, one of the cleverest and most obscure, but interesting narrations I've read in a long time.

Brenda, I love how Du Maurier wrote the main character. I love how we never got to know her actual name, and her insecurities are amazingly well written.

Besides anything, I think people should read this book just for the opening few paragraphs. By far, they are the most amazingly beautiful few pages I have ever read.

Yeah, I just wanted to make sure people got settled into 2014 and the group before starting the next round of nominations/polls.

Divergent will automatically be added to the YA poll, as it drew with The Book Thief in January.

If you are confused about anything within the group, please ask about it here. We'll try to get back to you as soon as we can.

I'll start up the nomination threads on the 15th, then the polls will start when we have around 5/6 nominations. They'll then close on around the 25th or 27th.

Does that sound alright?

Started this yesterday and it's really surprised me so. After pushing through the odd humour as the lack of chronology, it's a rather amusing book, and some of the writing is excellent.

I was unsure in the first few chapters, but I knew if I didn't read it this time, I'd probably never pick it up again. Only abut 150 pages in, but I thought I would hate it. Instead, I'm rather amused and excruciatingly curious about the whole book.

I'm planning to read more of A Song of Ice and Fire, so it would be interesting to see what you think of them.

I've only read the first one, and failed to get half way through the second, but I really need to push myself!

Your planned list sounds great. Good luck to you!

As you've probably noticed by now, we have a new banner for the group. What do you think?

Sandy, I feel your pain. I went through a period of not reading, and the sole reason was because I was on goodreads so much'

I recently read The White Queen and loved it. I forgot how much I love historical fiction!

I'm hoping to read more of her books, although I'm not sure about the Tudor series, I much prefer the period of The Cousins War series.

What do you think of her books?

The Fault in Our Stars made me sob hysterically...

I think that's what kept me reading, Chase. But then again, there were some big deaths and events that had like half a page attributed to them, when there should have been more.

Finished my latest book:
5. Richard III by William Shakespeare

Faye, that's a good idea! It will be in the group poll anyway, seeing as it tied last time with The Book Thief!

It's going rather swiftly along, which is awesome. Definitely got some interesting reads in already this year. There's just too much to read!!!

Just to let everyone know, I've cleared the thread up for Amber a bit, it was getting slightly messy.

Amber, I might ask you for some graphic novel recommendations soon. I've been meaning to get into them!

Welcome Fi, I absolutely love your name!

I must admit, I'm purposely putting off starting ASOIAF again because I know I'll hardly get any reading done if I just just read all those books. They're chunksters! I've read the first one, and I have the collection, so it's just finding the time.

Lori, you'll have to let me know what you think of Animal Farm!

This seems like such an interesting challenge, and one that I'd love to do, if I actually had the time to read and watch a lot of films!

I'll definitely be joining in the conversations/cheering people on/seeing recommendations, even though I won't be participating.

Great thread! :)

Luffy, perhaps you could explain why you feel they apparently 'suck'? That might be more useful to other members considering to read books by the author.